Welcome to the E46Fanatics forums. E46Fanatics is the premiere website for BMW 3 series owners around the world with interactive forums, a geographical enthusiast directory, photo galleries, and technical information for BMW enthusiasts.

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, communicate privately with other members (PM), respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our community today!

If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact contact us.

Call my stealership today and inquired about transmission oil...I was told the oil is a lifetime fill and it does not require changing, "I guess it depends on what Lifetime means" I then asked if the tranny had a lifetime warranty, due to that fact However, if I am to buy the oil, it would be $22.93 per 1/2 litre, and since I wanted to do a flush, meaning fill, drive, drain and fill again. the total cost for the oil alone would $437.50 before including tax. I was going to buy a total of 8-9L or so, as the tranny holds 8.9 all together (4-4.5 in the pan and about 4 in the torque C. give or take, I figured that should be enough.

I told the young lady thank you, I just fell out laughing....are they kidding me, even if I was just going to do a drain and fill that is still $225 for just oil... WTF are thes people thinking...granted it is a BMW and I do expect things to be a more expensive, but holy Sh t. I know this may be discussed already, but I had to say my piece

Tament - I know what you mean. When shopping for parts I sometimes end up calling the BMW dealership closest to my area. Part for comparison, part for curiosity, and one in 10 calls they DO have a steal of a price (probably a mistake, like my tranny pan which they sold for a 100 bucks). Anyway they almost always quote anywhere from 5-8x what we'd pay online, and say it with a straight, cheery disposition. Funny thing is, that parts counter always has a line whenever I'm there to check out the new models.

I love my cars, but I doubt I would own anything past 5 years old if this online parts thing didn't exist.

Tament - I know what you mean. When shopping for parts I sometimes end up calling the BMW dealership closest to my area. Part for comparison, part for curiosity, and one in 10 calls they DO have a steal of a price (probably a mistake, like my tranny pan which they sold for a 100 bucks). Anyway they almost always quote anywhere from 5-8x what we'd pay online, and say it with a straight, cheery disposition. Funny thing is, that parts counter always has a line whenever I'm there to check out the new models.

I love my cars, but I doubt I would own anything past 5 years old if this online parts thing didn't exist.

And the suckers pay for it like they have no other option. Jesus Christ I feel bad for people. Wait, no I don't.

I went on the hunt for the Tranny oil and came up with this: http://www.bmaparts.com/ShopByVehicl...sFluid&mode=PA
What do you think?...please all constructive imput welcome..I have already ordered my Filter and gasket, now I just need the oil...i have heard of redline...but i wanted to stick with BMW OEM or the makers of the OEM product. Not completely familiar with Redline, so forgive my ignorance if they are a manufacture of the OEM products for BMW.

What do you think?...please all constructive imput welcome..I have already ordered my Filter and gasket, now I just need the oil...i have heard of redline...but i wanted to stick with BMW OEM or the makers of the OEM product. Not completely familiar with Redline, so forgive my ignorance if they are a manufacture of the OEM products for BMW.

BMW ATF is just Dexron III ATF. You can get any ATF that says Dex/Mercon ATF. I would go with a reputable brand like Castrol though. Since GM did not renew their license on Dexron III, any manufacturer can claim their ATF meets the standards even if it doesn't. That's why you should go with a brand you can trust. I think you can also use Dexron VI. I believe it is backwards compatible with Dexron III. It is slightly lower viscosity. GM developed to improve gas mileage in newer cars. If you get Dexron VI it has to be certified by GM, so you know these are good. Honestly I would just order Redline D4 ATF like everyone else here, but if you don't want to wait, Castrol Dex/Mercon works.

As mentioned above, Redline D4 will do fine. I've been off the OE magic sauce for the last 46k miles and its been great. I did another D&F with filter recently and the fluid was still red.

Not that what you posted wont work, but Redline D4 has been used with a lot of success around here. Another favorite is Castrol's Import Vehicle Transmax, which also gets good reviews, at substantially less money.

I'm referring to use on my ZF tranny which is also what you should have given the production date, but always (visually) check to be sure.